Under Aranda last season, the Badgers were the top scoring defense in the country while also ranking second in total defense, fourth in rushing defense and seventh in passing defense.
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In this Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, photo, Wisconsin cornerback Sojourn Shelton warms up before the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Southern California in San Diego.
Having Dave Aranda on the LSU sidelines has to help the Tigers game planning. LSU has loads of talent and experience on both sides of the ball, led by Fournette, a junior running back and a leading Heisman Trophy candidate.
While Deiter didn’t expect an advantage, he said: “We’ve blocked that front so many times”.
UW last season was the stingiest team in the nation in points allowed at 13.7 per game and finished No. 2 in yards allowed at 268.5 per game.
And here we are, back again to open up another season of LSU Football.
“We just really want to put the welcome mat out for them”, says Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, armed with purple and gold beads for those arriving.
Two teams that like to use the I-formation on offense and the 3-4 on defense. “I think the chemistry’s there”.
In one way, the edict is understandable: Any player who does the Lambeau Leap during a college game likely is going to draw a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. Questions remain about how Wisconsin’s still-youthful offensive line will hold up, particularly after senior Dan Voltz – who had started 27 career games – retired last week due to nagging injuries. After four years of instability at the head coaching position, the Badgers are starting to show some wear and tear on offense.
The stadium has a locker room for visiting teams to use during home games, but because the week following the College Classic is also the first week of the National Football League regular season, the Packers locker room will be occupied by Aaron Rodgers and company.
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Matchup-wise, the advantages appear to be in favor of LSU defense, a unit that will suit up seven of its eight returning starters. It can’t be all on Fournette and the Tigers’ physical defense. Coaches will have a part in it, but the game will be played by the players between the lines. On top of injuries and instability along the offensive line last season, Badgers starting running back Corey Clement, the heir apparent to 2014 Doak Walker Award victor Melvin Gordon, missed the majority of last season with a sports hernia injury. Houston completed 27 of 47 passes last season for 281 yards with three touchdowns against two picks.
